Oxidative cross-coupling: an alternative way for C-C bond formations

Coupling reaction usually refers to the direct C-C bond formation between two carbon fragments. Generally, cross-coupling reactions between nucleophiles and electrophiles have been extensively studied and become the classic model for bond constructions. Another reaction model, bond formation from two nucleophiles through oxidative cross-coupling, has received more and more attention over the past few years. This paper will discuss the concept of oxidative cross-coupling and give an overview of its recent development.